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The move to extend Queensland's parliamentary terms to four years has been dubbed capricious marking the end for democracy and accountability in the State.

Brisbane lawyer, community activist and republic campaigner, David Muir believes the upcoming referendum has been deliberately kept absent from public debate as the Queensland Government makes a stealthy grab for political power.

"This referendum is a vote on an extremely important public issue and so far Queenslanders have not been privy to the implications," Mr Muir said.

"Queensland is already the most vulnerable State in Australia because it's the only State without a House of Review.

"Laws can be passed in one day without proper scrutiny or debate. I believe democracy in Queensland is under threat with both sides of politics joining together in a bid to extend their parliamentary terms by one year."

Mr Muir is well known as a champion for a direct election model for a republic and was an elected delegate to the 1998 Constitutional Convention.

He says the vote on an extra year in parliamentary terms addresses the Queensland Constitution, but both sides of politics have worked together to keep it away from public scrutiny.

"This referendum will be held under cover of the local authority elections," he said.

"There needs to be rigorous public debate on this referendum. All Queenslanders have a right to be aware of the implications of giving a dominant and powerful Executive an extra year in office.